Always a weak point imo. My '98s hinges are in need of replacement. I tightened them up here a while back, but I see one is loose again.

A little thing, but something that causes a major pita and with the kind of reaction you got--"Yea, we know it's crap, but, well, huh, whatever..." it leaves a bad impression of the vehicle and Ford.

Wish I could help, but I gotta fix mine.